The Impact of Communicable Diseases on Immigration Health Exams

The immigration medical exam is a crucial step in obtaining a work visa for the United States. It includes a review of your vaccination records to ensure you don't pose a health risk to the U.S. population. Read on to learn how communicable diseases can affect the immigration medical exam.

Impact of Communicable Diseases

Applicants with certain communicable diseases receive extra scrutiny. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy manual, Chapter 6, individuals with contagious diseases that pose a public health concern are inadmissible to the country. These diseases can have severe consequences, potentially affecting millions of people in any given country.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has designated the following conditions as communicable diseases of public health significance for immigration medical exams in the United States:

• Active Tuberculosis (TB)

• If you have active TB, you'll be denied entry to the USA until you've been treated. This requires a diagnosis of Class A TB and subsequent treatment, as this form of TB is active and contagious.

• Untreated Syphilis

• Untreated Gonorrhea

A positive test for any of these conditions will delay your immigration process. You won't receive clearance for the immigration medical exam until you've been treated.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs. There are two main types: Active TB infection and Latent TB infection. People with Latent TB carry the bacteria but aren't yet contagious, while Active TB is airborne and highly infectious.

• Active TB Infection: Symptoms of active TB infection include a persistent, severe cough, significant weight loss, chest pain, fever, fatigue, and blood in the sputum. Doctors diagnose TB through sputum tests and X-rays. If the test is positive, the individual is referred to the health department for further testing and treatment by a TB specialist.

• CDC Policies and Practices: The CDC adheres to specific policies and practices throughout the treatment process. After treatment completion, they conduct tests to confirm its effectiveness.

• Latent TB Infection: Latent TB is asymptomatic and difficult to detect. It's not yet contagious and can't be diagnosed with X-rays or sputum tests. However, people with latent TB may develop active TB later, posing a serious health risk. Therefore, treatment is crucial if diagnosed.

Syphilis:

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused by Treponema Pallidum. It primarily spreads through sexual contact but can also enter the body through the mouth, nose, or broken skin. Infected pregnant women can transmit the disease to their babies (congenital syphilis). Syphilis infections progress through different stages:

• Acute Syphilis Infection: Acute Syphilis has two stages: primary and secondary. Primary Syphilis manifests 10-90 days after contracting the bacteria, typically as a painless sore on the genitals, rectum, or mouth. These lesions disappear within days but can still transmit the infection.

• Secondary syphilis occurs 6-9 months after infection. Symptoms may include fever, bone and joint pain, weight loss, headache, general malaise, and a rash, particularly on the palms and soles.

• A Syphilis diagnosis will place you in Class A, preventing you from passing the immigration medical exam until treated.

• Acute Syphilis is typically treated with a single penicillin injection. After treatment, you'll be reclassified as Class B and can pass the exam.

• Latent Syphilis, diagnosed through blood tests, often shows no symptoms and is the most common type detected during immigration medical exams.

• The screening process and treatment for Latent syphilis mirror those for Acute syphilis. Treatment typically takes 2-3 weeks, after which you'll receive clearance for the exam.

Gonorrhea

Immigration applicants aged 18-24 must pass the immigration medical exam for gonorrhea. This sexually transmitted infection results in a Class A designation. After treatment, individuals are reclassified as Class B and can pass the exam.

The USCIS conducts urine screening to test for gonorrhea. If diagnosed, you'll receive antibiotic treatment according to the CDC's STI guidelines. Your diagnosis and treatment details are recorded in the immigration medical form.

Receiving a positive result for an infectious disease during an immigration medical exam can be devastating. It affects not only you and your family but potentially the entire community and country. However, these diseases are treatable. With proper diagnosis and treatment, recovery is possible.

The civil surgeon and health department are available to assist you. Additionally, numerous private organizations and agencies offer support and guidance throughout this process.